bible studyhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/taxonomy/term/3584/all
enBiblical reflections aid the struggle against povertyhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/15297
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<p>Faith perspectives on some of the most damaging aspects of global poverty are presented for Bible study group discussion in a new book launched at the Greenbelt Festival.</p>
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<p>Faith perspectives on some of the most damaging aspects of global poverty are presented for Bible study group discussion in a new book launched at the Greenbelt Festival.</p>
<p>Compiled by Christian Aid, the book ‘Working Together’ looks at the theological implications of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the eight targets agreed by the United Nations as essential to the eradication of poverty.</p>
<p>Contributors include Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi of Burundi, Fran Beckett, Leader of Restore Church and the Rev Kathy Galloway, Head of Christian Aid in Scotland and former leader of the Iona Community.</p>
<p>Each MDG is analysed by a different author, with the contributors providing a biblical framework against which the MDG can be considered. The commentaries are each accompanied by a contemporary reflection, a series of discussion starters, a prayer and a suggestion for action.</p>
<p>To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, the book also includes a reflection by Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, on the importance of the Bible in the vernacular to those in poverty.</p>
<p>Editor Canon Geoff Daintree of Christian Aid says the book is an opportunity for Bible discussion groups to focus on subjects of crucial importance that might otherwise appear tangential and remote.</p>
<p>"The UK is one of the most prosperous places on earth. That’s not to deny that poverty exists here, but infant mortality, maternal health, the provision of primary education and the battle against disease are not the challenges they remain in poorer countries," he commented.</p>
<p>Daintree continued: "The book reminds Christians that the continued, entrenched existence of such problems is not simply a matter of concern to those affected. Poverty is an outrage against all of us. It robs people of dignity, freedom, hope and power over their own lives."</p>
<p>He added: "Christian Aid has a vision – an end to poverty. The MDGs are part of the answer. How quickly it can be eradicated, however, is at heart a political question. There is enough in the world today to meet everyone’s needs, if greed and indifference don’t stand in the way.</p>
<p>"A global movement hungry for change is needed to create the political will essential for real progress. This book is part of the manifesto that we hope will help build such a movement.</p>
<p>"The studies it contains, written by people who are experienced, well-informed and who write from their faith experience, are intended to inspire, inform and challenge church members."</p>
<p>Christian Aid director Loretta Minghella launched ‘Working Together’ at Greenbelt in an event also featuring an interview with activist and progressive evangelical theologian Brian McLaren, as well songs from reggae musician Ben Okafor.</p>
<p>The ‘Working Together’ contributors in full are: Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury who reflects on the importance of the Bible in the vernacular. Archbishop Bernard Ntahoturi of Burundi who challenges readers regarding the eradication of poverty. The Rev Dr Ed Newell, Sub-Dean of Christchurch, Oxford, and the Reverend Dr Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, who examine the call for universal primary education.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Fran Beckett, Leader of Restore Church, considers gender equality; Bishop Sebastiao Armando Gameleira Soares, from Recife, Brazil, looks at need to reduce child mortality; the Very Rev Vivienne Faull, the Dean of Leicester Cathedral, studies maternal health; and Bishop Alastair Redfern, of Derby reflects upon the fight against HIV, malaria and other diseases.</p>
<p>The Rev Kathy Galloway, Head of Christian Aid, Scotland, examines environmental challenges; the Rev Graham Sparkes, President of Luther King House, a federation of colleges, challenges readers with the need to develop global partnerships for development; and theologian and educator Janet Morley looks at how the teaching of Jesus has a very practical application for our lives.</p>
<p>The books is available free of charge from Christian Aid, either from <a href="&#109;&#97;&#105;&#108;&#116;&#111;&#58;&#99;&#104;&#117;&#114;&#99;&#104;&#101;&#115;&#64;&#99;&#104;&#114;&#105;&#115;&#116;&#105;&#97;&#110;&#45;&#97;&#105;&#100;&#46;&#111;&#114;&#103;">&#99;&#104;&#117;&#114;&#99;&#104;&#101;&#115;&#64;&#99;&#104;&#114;&#105;&#115;&#116;&#105;&#97;&#110;-aid.org</a> stating the number required, or as a download from the Christian Aid website: <a href="http://www.christianaid.org.uk/working-together" title="www.christianaid.org.uk/working-together">www.christianaid.org.uk/working-together</a></p>
<p>[Ekk/3]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Economy and PoliticsEducation and CulturePeople and PowerReligion and SocietyNews Briefbible believing. biblebible studybiblicalchristian aidUK NewsFri, 26 Aug 2011 13:08:28 +0000staff writers15297 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukThinking theologically: Bible, tradition, reason and experiencehttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/13404
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<div class="field-item"><p>The way Christians dispute and decide among themselves can be confusing for insiders and outsiders alike. The relative value, importance and emphasis on the Bible, tradition, reason and experience is often not perceived with any clarity, and terms like ‘liberal’, ‘literalist’ and ‘traditionalist’ are thrown around in the religious and secular media in a fairly cavalier fashion – often more to win arguments than shed light. In this essay, Savitri Hensman explores, through three straightforward examples, the actual way human beings appeal to text, to history, to rational thought and to their personal apprehensions. She demonstrates that trying to behave as if they were wholly independent is unfeasible as well as undesirable. Hensman also shows that the valid interpretation and application of Scripture in the life and ethics of the Christian community requires a willingness to listen and learn widely, and a shared commitment to a Gospel of loving transformation realised in the flesh, not in texts and arguments alone.</p>
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<div class="field-item"><a href="/user/13" title="View user profile.">Savi Hensman</a></div>
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Religion and SocietyNews Briefbiblebible believingbible studybiblical hermeneuticsbiblical interpretationhermeneuticsResearchMon, 25 Oct 2010 09:26:34 +0000Savi Hensman13404 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukFaiths encouraged to work together for compassion in a divided world http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/12157
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<p>Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths should work together to show God's compassion in a world of destitution and injustice, an Islamic and a Christian scholar have declared.</p>
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<p>Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths should work together to show God's compassion in a world where too many suffer destitution and injustice, a Muslim scholar and a Christian leader agreed during an interfaith Bible study held at the major 12-16 May 2010 Kirchentag (German church convention) in Munich.</p>
<p>Ultimately, it is “no advantage for Jews to be Jews, Christians to be Christians, and Muslims to be Muslims”, said Muslim scholar Dr Ataullah Siddiqui. What really matters, Siddiqui argued, is the “human concern” for “the poor and the needy”.</p>
<p>For the Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, “God is compassionate” and therefore asks people “to be compassionate”. All human beings have a common calling “to live according to God's will in this land”.</p>
<p>Siddiqui and Tveit were jointly conducting a dialogue Bible study on the text of the Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 25, verses 31-46, a passage often referred to as “the judgment on the nations”.</p>
<p>The Bible study was part of the programme of the Kirchentag. This church convention, celebrated ecumenically for the second time, was organised by Protestant and Catholic lay movements and attracted about 125,000 participants.</p>
<p>For Tveit, the text of Matthew 25 does not intend to speculate “about scenarios for the future”, but rather to “express critical, sometimes surprising perspectives on our life here and now”. It tells the reader that what is required here and now is “spontaneous attention to the basic need of another human being”.</p>
<p>“The criterion is to live as Jesus Christ did. Sometimes even against some religious rules – for the sake of humanity. Christ alone is a criterion for the real life of a human being created in God's image”, Tveit said.</p>
<p>For Siddiqui, the text of Matthew 25 does not only challenge Christians. If, as the message of the text has it, human dignity cannot be compromised, there is need for “co-witnessing” – Muslims, Christians and people of other faiths “need to stand together”.</p>
<p>For that to happen, Siddiqui said, “we need respectful, hospitable theologies”. He stressed the need to “recognise and appreciate the otherness of the other”. </p>
<p><em>With thanks to the WCC</em></p>
<p>[Ekk/3]</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Religion and SocietyNews Briefbiblebible studybiblical scholarshipcharter for compassioncompassionKirchentagWorld NewsMon, 17 May 2010 09:00:05 +0000agency reporter12157 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukMethodists offer web-based biblical reflection for busy peoplehttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/5622
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<p>As daily life gets more hectic and stressful, many find it difficult to make time for the spiritual dimension of life. Now they can log on to a new website and access A Word in Time, the Methodist Church’s new online daily Bible study, the denomination announced today.</p>
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<p>As daily life gets more hectic and stressful, many find it difficult to make time for the spiritual dimension of life. Now they can log on to <a href="http://www.methodist.org.uk/bible" title="www.methodist.org.uk/bible">www.methodist.org.uk/bible</a> from wherever they happen to be and access A Word in Time, the Methodist Church’s new online daily Bible study, the denomination announced today.</p>
<p>Launching Sunday September 2 as part of the new-look Methodist website, A Word in Time will feature a daily Bible reading, background on the text, reflections and questions to ponder from that week’s contributor. </p>
<p>It follows the readings in the Methodist Prayer Handbook, All things in Christ, bringing the 40,000 readers of the handbook together with online disciples in their search for daily spirituality. Sundays will be extra special, with a blog attached to the commentary, enabling users to post their own comments and thoughts on the featured passage.</p>
<p>Alison Pollard, Web Writer, says; “the Bible is a central part of our faith, but with our hectic 21st century lifestyles, it’s often easy to neglect this essential part of our Christianity. With this exciting new online feature, we are trying to encourage the reader to apply the Bible to their own life and the social and political context in which they live.”</p>
<p>Each week, a different writer will offer their thoughts and reflections on a different passage of the Bible, with fifty-two contributors in total, from a wide range of social and academic backgrounds.</p>
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<!-- google_ad_section_end -->Religion and SocietyNews Briefbible studyconsumer societymethodistsstressukUK NewsFri, 31 Aug 2007 23:03:48 +0000staff writers5622 at http://www.ekklesia.co.uk